A Gentle Shift – Herbs and Tea for the Return to Fall Routines

As August fades into September, the pace of life begins to change. Summer vacations wind down, school schedules return, and mornings suddenly arrive earlier than anyone would like. The transition can feel exciting, exhausting, and emotional all at once—for adults and children alike.

Herbs, especially herbs in tea, offer gentle support during this seasonal shift, helping create moments of calm, focus, and comfort as routines settle back into place. Here are a few tea suggestions to help you along the way.

Lemon Balm Tea

🌿 Lemon Balm and Lavender for Calm

Back-to-school season can bring nervousness and overstimulation, especially after relaxed summer days. Lemon balm and lavender are two herbs traditionally used to encourage calm and relaxation.

A simple evening tea can help create a peaceful bedtime ritual before busy school mornings begin.

Calming Evening Tea

• 2 parts lemon balm
• 1 part chamomile
• ½ part lavender

Steep for 5–7 minutes and sweeten lightly with honey if desired.

The flavor is gentle and approachable, making it ideal for family tea time.

We have two Backyard Patch Teas that are perfect to include in this ritual.  Calming Spirit - A soul-soothing blend designed to quiet the nerves and settle the stomach. The delicate balance of rosemary, lavender, spearmint, chamomile, and cloves creates a mildly minty, aromatic infusion that brings tranquility with every sip. Enjoy it hot for a cozy evening wind-down or iced for a refreshing moment of calm. Holy Basil Relaxing Tea - Unwind naturally with this calming evening blend designed to quiet busy minds and ease you into restful sleep. Holy basil, lemongrass, lemon balm, peppermint, fennel, sage, hibiscus, and rose hips create a lightly citrusy, minty cup with soothing herbal depth. Packed with comforting herbs and vitamin C-rich ingredients, it’s the perfect nighttime ritual for relaxation and wellness support. Cozy, calming, and wonderfully grounding!

🌿 Rosemary for Focus and Memory

Rosemary has long been associated with memory and concentration. Students in ancient Greece reportedly wore rosemary garlands while studying, believing the herb sharpened the mind.

Whether or not one believes the legends, rosemary’s invigorating scent certainly awakens the senses.

Try:

• Adding rosemary to lemonade or herbal iced tea
• Simmering rosemary on the stove for an aromatic study environment
• Using rosemary in snack mixes or roasted nuts

We created a headache tea using a combination of rosemary with other herbs called Headache Liberation, that is bright and refreshing. This citrusy-herbal blend brings together lemon verbena, lemon balm, lavender, catnip, rosemary, and sage to help release tension and clear the mind. Whether it’s stress, sinus pressure, or a long day weighing on you, this tea is a breath of fresh air.

🌿 Building Immune Support

The return to classrooms often means the return of seasonal sniffles. Late summer is an excellent time to begin incorporating supportive herbs into daily routines.

Classic herbs include:

• Thyme
• Sage
• Elderflower
• Echinacea
• Mint

These can be blended into teas, syrups, or steam blends for seasonal wellness support.

Simple Wellness Tea Blend

• 2 parts thyme
• 1 part elderflower
• 1 part peppermint

This blend has a pleasant flavor while offering comforting herbal warmth.

If you want to look into our teas, we have Winter Remedy - A cool, soothing blend designed to bring relief during cold and flu season. Rosehips deliver a burst of vitamin C, sage works to fight germs, and peppermint provides a cooling effect to ease fevers and body aches. A winter staple to keep you feeling your best. Or Tulsi Rose Tea - Soft floral notes and comforting herbs come together in this soothing, immune-supportive blend. Holy basil (tulsi), lemon balm, rose petals, and elderflower create a rich reddish-brown tea with a slightly sweet, robust flavor that feels warm and calming from the very first sip. Perfect for winding down at night, easing frazzled nerves, and keeping cozy during cold and flu season. A peaceful cup for body and spirit alike!

🍎 Small Rituals Matter

The transition back to routine doesn’t have to feel abrupt. A cup of tea after school, herbs tucked into lunches, or a calming evening bath can help create comforting rituals that ease the change of season.

Herbs remind us to slow down and pay attention—even during busy times. As summer softens into autumn, they offer both flavor and reassurance, helping families settle gently into the rhythms ahead.

Fresh Herb Iced Tea - Tea Blend of the Month

Traditionally July is a hot month in Illinois.  I need to stay hydrated, but water loses its sparkle after a while, so I make herb iced teas.  This version allows the use of fresh cut herbs to make a tasty tea concentrate that you can keep in the fridge and enjoy for several days.

Explore the summer garden bounty with this tea idea featuring these attributes: peppermint cools, lemon balm brightens, catnip relaxes, and sage adds a soft savory note that ties everything together.

Fresh Herb Summer Iced Tea

• 5-6 stems catnip
• 4-5 stems peppermint
• 4-5 stems lemon balm
• A bit of sage 1-2 stems. 

Place stems in a roaster pan.  Pour boiling water over them and let steep 20 to 30 minutes.  Chill and store in the refirgerator until ready to serve.  Serve over ice with a splash of fresh cool water. Keeps 5 to 7 dsys in the refridge.

Summer Flower Tea - Tea of the Month

Here is a great tea that is sunny, floral and easy going.  You can serve it hot or cold on the porch.  It has a lovely golden color that is great for gatherings or individual sipping.  It has a slightly sweet and nostalgic flavor.

Summer Flower Tea Blend

• 2 parts lemon balm
• 1 part anise hyssop
• 1 part calendula petals
• 1 part pineapple sage (or common sage for more robust herbal tone)
• ½ part lavender

Instructions:

• Combine all ingredients in glass jar with a tight fitting lid and shake to mix.
• TO USE: add 1 Tbsp per quart water for sun tea, or 1 tsp of blend per cup of hot water. Steep 10 minutes. Sweeten lightly with honey if desired

Anise Hyssop

Pleasant Home Tea Blend - Tea of the Month

 In Late January I did one of several programs called Curative Properties of Tea (see program page if interested). As part of this program we sip tea while learning about herbs and thier various properties.  At the Park District of Oak Park, Pleasant Home facility, 12 people braved the cold and the snow to join us.  As the final part of the program we use our new knowledge to create a tea bland to sample.

It was described as smooth, flavorful and light by participants.  It is a light pink to red color with a ton of medicinal properties from the herbs included. We used a base of lemongrass with all of its anti-inflamatory and anti-bacterial properties and built on that with immunity boosting ingredients.

Lemongrass imparts a fresh, lemony, and slightly gingery flavor to dishes and beverages. It is great for digestive health, has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.  It can reduce anxiety and aid sleep.  It will also help to detoxify the body with its diuretic effects.

Hibiscus – Used in tea to add a bit of color, Hibiscus has been studied recently to confirm that it can be helpful in lowering cholesterol, improving HDL “good” cholesterol, and lowering blood sugar.

Elderberry – a documented immunity booster, these berries are used for reducing the symptoms of the flu.  Only the berries and flowers should be used, not the stems or leaves as they can include cyanide.

Calendula – this lovely golden flower is an effective skin care treatment is does have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and would healing properties.

Rosehips- Rosehips are the seed-filled bulbs that grow at the base of the blossom of a rose. They have been used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments. Native Americans have used rosehip tea to soothe sore throats and indigestion.  Rosehips contain vitamins C, E, and B as well as other minerals and antioxidants.  They also contain a substance that may ease inflammation.

Pleasant Home Tea 

2 parts Lemongrass

1 part Hibiscus

1 part Calendula

1 part Elderberry

1/2 part Rose hips

Blend the herbs in a jar and shake to combine.  Use about 1 to 2 tsp per cup of hot water and allow to steep 5 to 7 minutes before serving.  Sip in the morning or afternoon to enjoy the health benefits.

Hope you enjoy this tea as much as we did!

Elderberry and Fresh Mint Tea - Tea Blend of the Month

Cooler weather, being indoors and vissiting with family and freinds often brings many airbourne illnesses, so I thought a tea you could keep in the refrigerator to use as an energy and immuity booster.  This is a two part tea you brew separately and mix together to serve. You can use any combination of fresh mint leaves you may have on hand to create this.

ELDERBERRY AND FRESH MINT TEA

Make a concentrated elderberry tea:

1 1/4 cup water
1 tsp dried elderberries
1 Tbls raisins

Bring water to a boil.  Reduce heat to simmer, add elderberries and raisins, close pot and simmer for 15 minutes.  Remove from heat, allow to come to room temperature and strain off the liquid.  You can keep the concentrate in the fridge for a week.

Make mint tea:  

Any combination of mints will work, so if you have a flavored mint, like lime, chocolate, orange or more, add those.  For a base I used spearmint and applemint in mine.

With fresh herbs we used 1 Tbls of fresh mint per cup of water (1 tsp of dried mint).  Bring water just to a boil, turn off heat. Place herbs in a teapot and pour over water.  Steeping with the lid closed on the pot for 3-5 minutes.  Remove the herbs.

Mix the two teas together, altering the ratio depending on whether you want more mint or more fruit flavor.  The raisins will give some natural sweetness, but you can also add honey.  Great as an iced tea, but excellent to keep handy in the fridge to heat up in the winter for your daily boost.  Drink daily 

 

Thyme to Sleep Tea - Tea of the Month

I have many nights where I find sleep elusive.  I am a light sleeper and easily wake and find myself unable to fall back to sleep.  Thyme is a go-to herb to help me sleep. Thyme is a powerful antibacterial; combined with its strong action as an antitussive (cough suppressive), those dry winter days indoors will bother you no more! When the dry cough comes creeping in and sleep is elusive, drink some of this thyme tea with honey and lemon, and you won’t even need to count sheep.

Thyme to Sleep Tea

3 cups water

4-6 tsp dried garden thyme

4-6 tsp dried bee balm leaves or flowers

Honey to flavor

Place herbs in a tea ball or coffee filter and place in a teapot.  Boil water and pour over dried herbs. Cover immediately to trap volatile oils. Steep time is your preference; longer is stronger. Start with 4-6 minutes. Add honey and lemon juice to flavor bring out the flavor. Sweet dreams!

Fall Weather Honey Apple Tea - Tea Blend of the Month

Apples are everywhere this time of year and I have been working on several apple recipes to share on instagram (@backyardpatch43) when I found this item I shared on an old website back in 2011. With some updates, this makes a great tea to enjoy the flavor of apples.

Honey Apple Tea 

• 4 black tea bags (or 4 tsp. loose black tea)
  
• 1 tsp dried chamomile (optional)
• 1 tsp dried lemon balm
• ½ tsp dried sage
• 1/3 cup honey
• 3 cups unsweetened apple juice
• 3 cups boiling water

In a two quart pot, brew tea bags and dried herbs with boiling water.  Steep 2 to 5 minutes.  Remove bags/tea infuser or strain if brewed loose.  Add honey and apple juice.  Stir well.  Serve warm with a slice of apple or a cinnamon stick or pour over ice.  Makes 4 servings.

Harvest Tea - Tea Blend of the Month (Fall Tea Launch)

As Summer winds down and Fall arrives we switch to our Fall and Winter Seasonal Teas.  This particular tea is going to be among them.  For the commercial blend (which will be caffeine-free) we have altered the recipe just a bit, but I wanted to share kinda how a recipe starts with me.  I first created this blend back in 2010 and shared it here on the blog.  Since then it has been sitting in a folder of teas to make and market, but I never developed it.  This year I decided it was time.

Harvest Tea

A lot of the time I make a tea with fresh ingredients first to see if I enjoy it, then craft dry ingredients and make it again to see if the flavor changes dramatically.  At that point, I play with the ingredients adding and subtracting until I get the flavor I want.  When I create a blend that has the same flavor in numerous batches, I know I have perfected it. If the flavor changes in different batches, I go back to playing with the ingredients until the flavor is consistent.

Harvest Tea

• 4 tsp dried apple pieces, chopped in small pieces
• 1 Tbls hibiscus flowers
• 1 Tbls rooibos or black tea
• 1 Tbls rose hips
• 1 Tbls allspice berries
• 4 tsp wintergreen leaves (substitute spearmint, but not peppermint)
• 1 tsp currants or dried cranberries
• 3 inches of cinnamon stick or 1 Tbls ground cinnamon

‌Combine dry ingredients in a glass jar. Shake well to blend. Store away from light for up to a year. Use 1 heaping teaspoon per cup of hot water. Steep for 5 minutes and sweeten only with honey.

This tea has cranberries which are great for inflammation because of their antioxidant properties and cinnamon helps with blood sugar regulation, as well as digestive issues.  Perfect after a heavy meal like Thanksgiving.

Enjoy this tea if you make it yourself, or you can enjoy this and other teas we have selected for the winter season.  If you have been enjoying the Summer Teas, those will be available only until the end of September, so get those soon, or you have to wait until next year.

Double Lemongrass White Iced Tea - Tea Blend of the Month

A wonderful iced tea with great antioxidant properties and bold lemon flavor with a nice bit of caffeine,

Double Lemongrass Iced Tea

• Lemongrass Simple Syrup
• stalks of lemongrass
• 8 cups water (cold)
• 8 white tea bags
• Ice cubes

Directions

To prepare the lemongrass simple syrup: Take 6 full stocks of lemongrass with 1 cup of sugar or honey and 1 cup of water.  Bring the water and sugar to a boil stirring until the sugar is dissolved. Crush and chop the lemongrass stalks and add to the water and bring back to a boil.  Remove it from the stove and steep it for about 20 - 30 minutes. Once it's cool, strain the lemongrass syrup into a cup and set aside. 

For the Tea: Take a large saucepan and heat it. Add 8 cups of cold water and bring to a boil with 2 to 4 stalks of lemongrass cut in half length and crosswise.  Remove from heat and allow to steep for 1 hour.  After an hour bring the water to a boil once again. Immediately remove it from the heat and add the 8 white tea bags into the mixture and steep it for about 5 minutes. Remove the tea bags from the lemongrass tea and allow everything to cool down until it reaches a room temperature. 

Transfer to a pitcher and refrigerate until completely chilled. Remove the pitcher from the refrigerator, add ½ cup of lemongrass syrup for sweetness and stir. Serve in a tall glass filled with ice. Garnish with a lemongrass stalk. 

The mixture of two lemongrass recipes gives you a 'double iced lemongrass tea on the rocks!'

Aromatic Fresh Mint Tea - Tea Blend of the Month

This week I was harvesting a large amount of mint. And contemplating a harvest of sweet woodruff. As a result, it got me thinking about refreshing mint-based teas and I remembered this one I posted on Facebook back in 2015.

The recent rain has cleared our air of the smoke from the Canadian Wildfires, but I fear it will come back in a few days.  This tea can assist with coughs, sore throats and congestion from not-so-great-air.

Aromatic Mint Tea  

• 2 parts Spearmint
• 1 part Marjoram
• 1 part Sweet Woodruff
• 1 part Sage

Combine Fresh leaves in a quart jar (about half full total) and cover with boiled water.  Let steep 15 minutes or so and enjoy hot or iced.  If you only have dry herbs, use 1 to 2 teaspoons per cup of hot water.

sage

Spearmint leaves are often used in herbal teas and remedies for their potential respiratory benefits. It may help alleviate coughs, congestion, and sinus discomfort.

Marjoram is known for its calming effects on the nervous system. It promotes relaxation, relieves stress, and improves sleep quality.

Sweet woodruff contains antioxidant compounds that help protect the body against oxidative stress and free radicals, potentially reducing cellular damage. Sweet woodruff also has mild sedative properties and has been used as a relaxant to help promote relaxation and relieve stress.

Sage has natural antiseptic and antibacterial properties that may help soothe sore throats, alleviate mouth ulcers, and support oral health.

It's important to note that while herbs like spearmint, marjoram, sweet woodruff, and sage have traditional uses and potential medicinal benefits, it's always advisable to consult with a healthcare professional or herbalist before using them for specific health concerns or if you have any underlying medical conditions.

Relax and Restore Tea - Monthly Tea

The base herb for this tea is chamomile with a supporting herb of lavender which raises the relaxation quotient.  I make teas with chamomile and with lavender, but not both, so this is a departure.

This tea can calm the stomach and mind as well as relieve bloating, gas, and indigestion.

• 4 parts chamomile
• 2 parts mint
• 1 part lavender
• 1 part sweet violet flowers (optional)

Combine herbs in a glass jar and shake well.  Use 1 to 2 tsp per cup of hot water.  Enjoy after a large meal.

Sweet Sleep Tea - Tea Blend of the Month

I have had several people asking me about sleep teas and although I have several, I went looking for some recipes from other sources as base for some new ideas.  I found this great recipe from Tina Sams in her book “Living with Lavender.”

Tina experiences the same problem I do which is the inability to stay asleep or getting back to sleep after waking up. She is the one who turned me onto Holy Basil (Tulsi) to help control that. This recipe has a wonderful combination of relaxing herbs and stress reducing herbs that can also help one to sleep.

For more information on Tina and her many herb books and publications, check out her website www.EssentialHerbal.com

Sweet Sleep Herbs

• 1 Tbls lemon balm
• 1 Tbls chamomile
• 1 Tbls passion flower (leaves, flowers and/or stems)
• 1 tsp hibiscus
• 1 tsp rose petals
• 1 tsp lavender buds

Chop the ingredients so they are a consistent size and mix together, storing in a tight sealing jar. 

TO USE: Place 1 tsp in  cup of boiling water and steep 10 to 15 minutes.  Sweeten with a bit of honey if needed.

Health Benefits -- Tea Ideas for the Month of August

Health Benefits of Herbal Tea

With a handful of herbs, many of which can be found in your kitchen cabinets or garden,  and a few basic techniques, you can brew up healing teas for everyday ailments.

There are lots of ways to enjoy the goodness of plants, but for accessibility and simplicity, it’s hard to beat a good cup of tea. I especially enjoy it when it the tea contains herbs I grew, foraged, or blended myself. 

There are also so many health benefits to drinking tea that can’t be denied. Here are a few of the known benefits.

ginger

Improves Digestion 

Several herbal teas have been shown to help with nausea, constipation, indigestion, and more. Fortunately, most of them are widely available and easy to make. Some herbs that are known to help include: ginger, peppermint, gentian root, fennel, angelica root, dandelion, senna, and marshmallow root

Mint teas are great for the stomach so tea with strong mint favors will help with digestion.  At Backyard Patch Herbs we have Shakespeare and Rest Easy Teas which will give you the mint flavor in an amount to help with stomach issues.

Peppermint and Green Tea

• 2 parts peppermint
• 1 part green tea

Combine together and store in a jar with a tight-fitting lid, use 1 to 2 tsp per cup of hot water. Can be served hot or iced.

chamomile

Reduces Inflammation 

There are a variety of beneficial compounds present in different kinds of tea that can help to soothe inflammation, including tea itself as well as rose petals and rose hips, ginger, turmeric, chamomile, and more.

Backyard Patch Herbs has several types of tea that will help with inflammation - like Hibiscus Rose Blush, Turmeric Chai and Therapeutic.

Ginger and Hibiscus Tea

• 2 parts ginger
• 1 part hibiscus
• 1/2 part cranberries (if you want some extra tart)
• honey to taste (for some sweet)

If you use dried cranberries check to see if they added sugar before you add honey.  Combine all the items in a jar and use 1 to 2 teaspoons for 1 cup of hot water.  Great served hot or iced.

lavender

Relieve Stress and Anxiety

Herbal teas calm and relax the mind, relieving stress and anxiety. Since it calms the mind, drinking herbal tea before going to sleep also helps people who suffer from insomnia.

Chamomile is one of the best herbs for sleep and the reduction of stress.  Along with lavender, these two herbs can help with difficulties sleeping and the comforting effect may also act as a mild anti-depressant for some as it stimulates the brain to reduce feelings of depression and stress.

We have several teas to assist in this way.  Nerve Soothing is high in Chamomile, Dreamtime has both chamomile and lavender, and Calming Spirit gives the relaxation of lavender, mint and chamomile.

Anti-anxiety Herbal Tea Blend

• 2 tablespoons dried lemon balm
• 2 tablespoons dried rose hips, cut & sifted
• 1 tablespoon dried chamomile
• 1/2 teaspoon dried lavender

Combine materials and store in a lidded jar or tin. For a single serving hot cup of tea, place 1 tablespoon of the tea blend into a tea ball or bag. Add the filled tea ball or bag and fill with 1 cup (8 fl oz) hot water. Cover & let steep for 8-10 minutes, then enjoy! (Sweeten if desired!)

 

Monthly Tea Ideas for June - sleep and digestion

If there’s one good thing you can do for yourself in a day, it’s taking five minutes out to make a cup tea and have a moment of calm. Herbal tea remedies can provide amazing healing properties when the right herbs are combined together. Even the act of making a cup of tea is a mindful process in itself!

The purest way to reap these benefits is to make your own herbal teas at home - which is way easier than it sounds. If you do not have these herbs, then try some of our Backyard Patch tea blends.

What you need:

• A tea pot
• A glass jar to keep your mixture in
• Tea strainer or unbleached empty tea bags
• dried herbs, preferably organic

Tea to aid sleep

• 3 parts dried chamomile flowers - these have a calming element and natural sedative properties.
• 3 parts dried lavender flowers - these have a calming scent that is soothing and promotes relaxation.
• 1 part dried passionflower - soothes the mind, calming brain activity, also a natural sedative
• 1/2 part dried valerian root - this helps calm the nerves and promote a peaceful sleep, it also has natural sedative properties.

Measure out your herbs in a bowl. Mix herbs together, then transfer to jar. 3. If making in a pot scoop 2 tablespoons of mix into teapot and pour over boiled water, set aside and let steep for 5-10mins, then strain through into cup, sit back and enjoy.

For a tea bag cut your ingredients down to 1 Tbls and add the measured ingredients to a tea bag, place in cup and pour over boiled water, allowing to steep for 5 minutes before drinking.

Tea to aid digestion

This tea has a serious licorice flavor, but with the addition of ginger, you cut the sweetness and up the healthy benefits for an upset stomach.

• 3 parts dried fennel seed - aids digestion by helping to increase the production of gastric juices to get digestion started properly.
• 2 parts licorice root - helps the liver neutralize toxins and is anti-inflammatory
• fresh ginger root, sliced - this is highly anti-inflammatory, helps in digestion and reduces gas; easing bloating and burping. Keep ginger separate and add in fresh slice ginger when making tea pot

Measure out your dry herbs into a bowl. Mix together, then transfer to jar (except fresh ginger, slice this fresh as it provides more flavor.) 

If making in a pot scoop two tablespoons of mix into teapot, add two coins of ginger root to the pot and pour over boiled water, set aside and let steep for 5-10mins, then strain through into cup, sit back and enjoy.

For a tea bag use a single coin of ginger root with 1 teaspoon of herbs in a tea bag. Place in cup and pour over boiled water, allowing to steep for 5 minutes before drinking. 

New Feature - Monthly Herb Tea Crafting Ideas

I have a boat and a garage and a house full of tea recipes.  Some I learned, some I crafted from scratch some I created by accident. I share them regularly on the blog (you can find them by searching Tea Recipes on the blog) but I thought it might be nice to be more organized about it and share some tea creating ideas every month. These will include recipes for tea, recipes for items to serve with tea and highlights on herbs to grow for making tea. 

I started my first herb garden in 1992, because I love herb tea.  However I wanted my herb (caffeine-free) tea to be as nuanced in flavors as the black teas I also enjoy, like Earl Grey with a hint of orange from bergamot oil, or Assam Tea which has a chocolaty finish to go with the malty strong flavor. What was available in the stores were generally single herb teas like peppermint or chamomile and those were not subtle. So I began experimenting with herbs and their flavors and creating combinations.  

I started with two-herb combos like Lemon balm and Lavender (now called Lemon Lavender Splash and made with multiple lemon herbs) or Lemon balm and peppermint (called Lemon Peppermint and made in the winter because of its throat-soothing properties.) Then I moved to three and four herb combinations like Dreamtime (chamomile, lavender and catnip,) Headache Relief  a combo of lavender, rosemary and thyme and Nerve Soothing (sage, thyme, marjoram, chamomile, because you can be soothing without lavender.)

Once I gained confidence in my blending skills, I began making multi-herb blends like my popular hot and iced tea called Calming Spirit named so because it is made with relaxing herbs of spearmint, lavender, chamomile, rosemary and cloves for color. Now I can create a tea with any number of herbs and spices and enjoy a side hustle of custom tea blends for groups, events and weddings.  If you have questions about herbs for your tea, please ask in the comments down below.

There are many recipes I have made or adapted to try at home, use in cocktails and tryout for programs so I thought I would share some of these experiments and perhaps a few of my commercial failures with you and let you judge them for yourself. And since herbs are best with shortbread and scones, I will share a few of those recipes along the way as well.

As it is May I decided to start with an iced teas, you can then enjoy a cooling blend as summer heats up. Although as I write this is is not yet very warm, I am hopeful that by publication it will be warm enough outdoors for you to enjoy these recipes on your porch or deck.

Tea Idea to Start

Lemon Verbena-Apple Mint Tea
Nothing is more refreshing in the summer than lemon verbena iced tea, and a hint of apple and mint adds a twist.

1 cup fresh lemon verbena leaves, loosely packed
½ cup fresh apple mint leaves, loosely packed
2 quarts water

Bring water to a boil.  Turn off water and add the herbs, bruising them slightly.  Cover pot and let sit for 10 minutes.  Strain out herbs, allow to cool and add ice.

Another Tea Idea

Now if you do not bring in your lemon verbena plants for winter like I do , you might not have any of that herb just yet, so here is a recipe you can make with kitchen herbs, or those you can gather at the grocery. I shared this years ago in my herbal newsletter - which is now called the Good Thymes....

Nippy Iced Tea  

• 5-6 stems catnip
• 4-5 stems peppermint
• 4-5 stems lemon balm
• A bit of sage 1-2 leaves

Because you are dealing with stems of herbs, place the stems in a roaster pan pour boiling water of them and let steep 20 to 30 minutes.  Chill and serve over ice with a splash of fresh cool water. Start with one quart of water and if it is too strong add another quart.  Allow to cool then serve with ice.  The mint is cooling and refreshing while the lemon balm is uplifting.  The catnip and sage will help with allergies too!

Stop back next month for more tea ideas!